CN116635660A

CN116635660A - Hose connector

Info

Publication number: CN116635660A
Application number: CN202180078838.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 迈克尔·基斯特勒
Original assignee: Husqvarna AB
Current assignee: Husqvarna AB
Priority date: 2020-11-26
Filing date: 2021-11-22
Publication date: 2023-08-22
Also published as: EP4229322B1; EP4229322A1; WO2022112178A1

Abstract

A hose connector (200) for a hose (202) includes a body portion (204) defining an externally threaded section (206). The hose connector (200) further includes an engagement portion (218) defined with the body portion (204). The engagement portion (218) allows the hose (202) to be pushed up. The hose connector (200) further includes one or more mating elements (236) defined on at least a portion of the engagement portion (218). The one or more mating elements (236) allow engagement of the hose (202) with the hose connector (200). The hose connector (200) is characterized in that the one or more mating elements (236) are helical elements (236) defined on the first part (226) of the engagement portion (218). Furthermore, the second part (228) of the engagement portion (218) has a diameter at least equal to the outermost diameter (D6) of the helical element (236).

Description

Hose connector

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a hose connector for a hose.

Background

Generally, gardening requires a hose connected to a water supply source such as a tap or a pump so that water can be delivered through the hose. The hose connector allows for quick coupling of the hose to the water supply. To couple the hose with the hose connector, the hose is pushed through the receptacle such that the hose is received by the body of the hose connector. In some cases, a hose of an appropriate length is not received within the hose connector, or an appropriate reinforcement is not present. Conventionally, the receptacle of the hose connector includes a plurality of castellated ribs circumferentially disposed thereon.

Furthermore, mounting the hose connector to the hose requires a defined force. The diameter of the receptacle is chosen such that the defined force is low and there is a good seal between the hose and the hose connector. Typically, the diameter of the receptacle is different from the diameter of the hose. This difference in diameter may create a flow restriction for water flowing therethrough. Furthermore, the smaller diameter of the hose receiver may also result in a reduced flow cross section defined by the hose connector, which reduces the flow rate of water therethrough. Thus, there is a need for an improved hose connector that provides an improved seal between the hose and the hose connector, and also provides a quick and easy coupling of the hose connector to the hose without any constriction or reduction of the flow cross section.

An example is provided in U.S. patent application 2,399,791 (hereinafter the' 791 reference). The' 791 reference discloses a hose connector. The hose connector includes a connector and a clamping sleeve or housing. The connector has a head with external threads on an inner end. The outer enlarged end of the head has a hexagonal shape. Further, the external thread ends with a smooth transition. Thus, water may leak therefrom, and proper sealing cannot be ensured. Accordingly, there is a need for improved hose coupling arrangements.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, it is an object of the present disclosure to address or at least reduce the drawbacks discussed above. This object is at least partly achieved by a new design of a hose connector for a hose. The hose connector includes a body portion defining an externally threaded section. The hose connector further includes an engagement portion defined with the body portion. The engagement portion allows the hose to be pushed up. The hose connector further includes one or more mating elements defined on at least a portion of the engagement portion. The one or more mating elements allow engagement of the hose with the hose connector. The engagement portion includes at least a first component and a second component. The first member is defined around an end of the engagement portion opposite the body portion. The first part of the engagement portion comprises one or more mating elements in the form of helical elements extending at least partially across the first part. Furthermore, the surface of the second part of the engagement portion does not present any mating element and has an outer diameter at least equal to the outermost diameter of the spiral element. The invention is characterized in that the extension of the spiral element on the first part is suddenly stopped, so that the spiral element defines a stepped end with a flat end surface towards the second part.

The present disclosure provides improved hose connectors having a helical element. The screw element facilitates the rotation of the hose to the hose connector. In addition, the screw element together with the pressure generated between the hose and the hose connector allows a firm coupling between the hose and the hose connector. Further, the inner diameter of the joint portion and the diameter of the hose are almost equal to each other. This feature ensures that the flow cross section does not shrink, which results in a constant flow rate of water through the hose connector and hose. Further, the outer diameter of the second part of the engagement portion is substantially equal to or greater than the outermost diameter of the spiral element. Furthermore, this feature ensures a radial watertight seal as the extension of the screw element on the first part suddenly stops, whereby any water still flowing out of the engaged hose along the screw element will stop at the latest at this seal. This is in contrast to the generation and application of a spiral structure with elements such as windings with screws as known from the prior art forming the knowledge of the person skilled in the art. In this case, the transition of the spiral structure will taper smoothly into the flat end surface of the element and not stop abruptly at all, which is a difficult task in terms of manufacturing. The arrangement of the first member around the end of the engagement portion reduces the coupling force during coupling of the hose to the hose connector.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the total length of the first and second components defines a complete engagement portion. This arrangement provides for easy and secure coupling of the hose by turning the hose onto the hose connector.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the inner diameter of the engagement portion is about the inner diameter of the hose to be pushed up. This dimension of the inner diameter is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the hose, which ensures a constant flow rate of the water supply through the hose connector and hose. In one exemplary embodiment, this can be 8.5mm.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the externally threaded section allows for a threaded connection of the hose connector with the clamp nut. The clamping nut provides a firm and secure connection of the hose connector to the hose.

Other features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a hose connector according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the hose connector of FIG. 1 coupled with a hose in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of the engagement portion of a hose connector as known in the prior art; and

fig. 3B illustrates a perspective view of an engagement portion of a hose connector according to the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the disclosure incorporating one or more aspects of the disclosure are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present disclosure may be used with other embodiments and even other types of structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present disclosure. For example, "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "side", "longitudinal", "lateral", "transverse", "upward", "downward", "forward", "rearward", "sideways", "left", "right", "horizontal", "vertical", "upward", "inner", "outer", "inward", "outward", "top", "bottom", "upper", "above", "below", "center", "middle", "between …", "end", "adjacent", "near", "distant", "remote", "radial", "circumferential", etc. only describe the configuration shown in the figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.

Fig. 1 shows a hose connector 200 for a hose 202. The hose 202 may be connected to a fluid supply (not shown), such as a pump, faucet, pipe, or the like. Further, the fluid may be water or any other fluid of interest, as desired. Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a hose connector 200. Hose connector 200 includes a body portion 204 defining an externally threaded section 206. The body portion 204 defines a first section 208 and a second section 210 disposed adjacent the first section 208. The second section 210 defines an externally threaded section 206. The externally threaded section 206 includes a plurality of threads 207 circumferentially disposed on a second section 210 of the body portion 204.

The second section 210 of the body portion 204 defines a first outer diameter "D1". Specifically, a first outer diameter "D1" is defined by the externally threaded section 206. The body portion 204 is a hollow member typically made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic. The body portion 204 may be made of other materials, such as steel, brass, stainless steel, aluminum, plastic, and the like, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, combinations of materials can also be used to fabricate the body portion 204 of the hose connector 200.

Referring to fig. 2, the body portion 204 further includes a first cylindrical bore 212. The first cylindrical bore 212 defines a first inner diameter "D2". A fluid, such as water, flows through the first cylindrical bore 212 of the body portion 204. The first cylindrical bore 212 includes a first end portion 214 and a second end portion 216. The first end portion 214 has a diverging cross-sectional area and the second end portion 216 has a converging cross-sectional area. The first end portion 214 and the second end portion 216 are arranged such that water flows from the first end portion 214 of the first cylindrical bore 212 towards the second end portion 216 of the first cylindrical bore 212.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2 in combination, the hose connector 200 further includes an engagement portion 218 defined with the body portion 204. The engagement portion 218 allows the hose 202 to be pushed up. The engagement portion 218 is inserted into the hose 202 by rotating and pushing the hose 202 onto the engagement portion 218. In the example shown, the body portion 204 and the engagement portion 218 are embodied as a single piece unit. Alternatively, the body portion 204 and the engagement portion 218 may be embodied as separate components that are joined together using techniques such as welding, brazing, soldering, and the like. The engagement portion 218 is fabricated from the same material as the body portion 204.

The engagement portion 218 is in fluid communication with the body portion 204 of the hose connector 200 and is disposed downstream of the body portion 204 along the water flow direction "F1". The flow direction "F1" as depicted is merely exemplary and it should be readily understood that the present invention, while it is well understood that the flow direction can also be the opposite direction, depending on the application. The engagement portion 218 is embodied as a generally cylindrical member. The engagement portion 218 includes a first end 220 proximate the body portion 204 and a second end 222 opposite the first end 220. The second end 222 of the engagement portion 218 includes a tapered portion 224.

The engagement portion 218 includes at least a first member 226 and a second member 228. More specifically, the engagement portion 218 includes a first component 226 proximate the tapered portion 224 (which is opposite the body portion 204) and a second component 228 proximate the body portion 204. Further, a first member 226 is defined around an end 222 of the engagement portion 218 opposite the body portion 204. In the example shown, a first member 226 is defined around the second end 222 of the engagement portion 218. Further, in some embodiments, the first component 226 may also be defined around the first end 220, or anywhere on the engagement portion 218.

The first part 226 of the engagement portion 218 defines a length "L1". Further, the second component 228 of the engagement portion 218 defines a diameter "D3" and a length "L2". Further, the diameter "D3" is smaller than the first outer diameter "D1". The overall length "L3" of the first and second members 226, 228 defines the full engagement portion 218. Specifically, the length "L1" and the length "L2" when combined define the full length "L3" of the engagement portion 218.

Further, the engagement portion 218 defines an inner diameter "D4". Specifically, the engagement portion 218 includes a second cylindrical bore 230 that defines an inner diameter "D4". The second cylindrical bore 230 is in fluid communication with the first cylindrical bore 212. A fluid, such as water, flows through the second cylindrical bore 230 of the engagement portion 218. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner diameter "D4" of the engagement portion 218 is about 8.5mm. However, the inner diameter "D4" may vary according to the application needs. Further, as shown in the drawings, when the hose 202 is connected to the hose connector 200, the inner diameter "D4" is almost equal to the inner diameter "D5" of the hose 202. This feature ensures that there is no flow constriction of the water passing therethrough. The second cylindrical bore 230 includes a first end portion 232 and a second end portion 234. The first end portion 232 and the second end portion 234 are arranged such that water flows from the first end portion 232 of the second cylindrical bore 230 towards the second end portion 234 of the second cylindrical bore 230.

The hose connector 200 further includes one or more mating elements 236 defined on at least a portion of the engagement portion 218. The one or more mating elements 236 allow engagement of the hose 202 with the hose connector 200. The mating element 236 is circumferentially disposed on the engagement portion 218 proximate the tapered portion 224. More specifically, the mating element 236 is defined on an outer surface of the engagement portion 218.

The present disclosure shows the mating element 236 defined over the length "L1" of the first component 226 of the engagement portion 218. In some embodiments, the length "L1" of the first component 226 (i.e., the mating element 236) of the engagement portion 218 may cover the total length "L3" of the complete engagement portion 218. Furthermore, the ratio of the length "L1" of the mating element 236 relative to the total length "L3" of the full engagement portion 218 may depend on various factors related to the hose 202 and the hose connector 200, as well as other implementation factors. In some embodiments, the mating element 236 may be discontinuously defined on the engagement portion 218. Additionally, or alternatively, the mating element 236 may be provided with any other mating feature known or used in the relevant art, such as a chamfer, pin.

Further, the one or more mating elements 236 are helical elements 236 defined on the first component 226 of the engagement portion 218. The mating element 236 may be interchangeably referred to hereinafter as a helical element 236 without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In the example shown, the spiral element 236 comprises a continuous spiral. While the helical element 236 is disposed on the first component 226, it is contemplated that the second component 228 may also include the helical element 236 without limitation. When the hose 202 is coupled to the hose connector 200, the helical member 236 compresses the hose 202, thereby providing a secure coupling and an effective seal between the hose 202 and the hose connector 200.

The helical element 236 defines an outermost diameter "D6". Further, the second component 228 of the engagement portion 218 has a diameter "D3" that is at least equal to the outermost diameter "D6" of the helical element 236. This feature ensures that the widened end of the hose 202 presses against the second part 228, which results in a radial watertight seal.

Hose connector 200 also includes collar 238 disposed adjacent body portion 204. Collar 238 has a circular shape. Collar 238 may comprise any other shape, such as square, triangular, oval, etc. The hose connector 200 further comprises a clamping nut 242. After the hose connector 200 is connected with the hose 202, the clamping nut 242 is tightened onto the second section 210 of the body portion 204. The clamping nut 242 engages the body portion 204. Further, the clamp nut 242 retains the engaged portion of the hose 202 on the engagement portion 218. The clamp nut 242 includes a first member 244 and a second member 246. The first member 244 defines an internally threaded section (not shown) that engages the externally threaded section 206 of the body portion 204. Thus, the externally threaded section 206 allows for threaded connection of the hose connector 200 with the clamp nut 242.

Furthermore, the first element 244 of the clamping nut 242 has a circular shape. Alternatively, the first element 244 may comprise any cross-section, such as triangular, hexagonal, square, etc. Further, the second member 246 is a protruding cylindrical member having the same inner diameter as the outer diameter "D7" of the hose 202. When the hose 202 is coupled with the hose connector 200, a portion of the hose 202 is disposed radially between the second element 246 of the clamp nut 242 and the engagement portion 218.

The present disclosure provides an improved hose connector 200 for a hose 202. The hose connector 200 includes a screw element 236 that facilitates rotation of the hose 202 onto the hose connector 200. Further, the hose 202 widens as it is twisted onto the hose connector 200. In addition, the screw element 236 and the pressure generated between the hose 202 and the hose connector 200 firmly hold the hose 202. Further, the screw element 236 engages with the hose 202, so that an accidental release of the hose 202 from the hose connector 200 can be prevented. Further, the diameter "D3" of the second component 228 of the engagement portion 218 is at least equal to the outermost diameter "D6" of the helical element 236, which results in a radial watertight seal.

The hose connector 200 defined herein does not include any abrupt change in cross-section across the hose connector 200, thereby eliminating any flow constriction through the hose connector 200. Further, since the inner diameter "D4" of the joint portion 218 and the inner diameter "D5" of the hose 202 are almost equal, the flow cross section is not contracted, which results in a constant flow rate of water toward the hose 202.

Fig. 3A and 3B show the engagement portion 218 in more detail. Specifically, FIG. 3A shows an engagement portion 218' as known in the art. The engagement portion 218 'includes a tapered portion 224'. The engagement portion 218' includes a first member 226' and a second member 228'. A first member 226 'is defined around the end of the engagement portion 218' opposite the body portion. The first part 226 comprises one or more mating elements 236' in the form of helical elements 236' extending at least partially across the first part 226 '. As shown, the helical element 236 'is in the form of a thread on the surface 248', which allows for the installation of a hose connector with a hose. The thread terminates on the surface 248 'in such a way that the smooth terminating transition is provided with a surface 248'. Typically, threads are provided in any such coupling mechanism in this manner. This results in an improper seal or flow profile when water flows through the hose.

Fig. 3B illustrates the engagement portion 218 in further detail according to the present disclosure. The engagement portion 218 includes a first member 226 and a second member 228. A first member 226 is defined around an end 222 of the engagement portion 218 opposite the body portion 204. The first part 226 comprises one or more mating elements 236 in the form of helical elements 236 extending at least partially across the first part 226. Further, the extension of the spiral element 236 over the first component 226 is abruptly stopped such that the spiral element 236 defines a stepped end with a flat end surface 248 toward the second component 228. The flat end surface 248 is shown as having a triangular cross-sectional shape. It should be appreciated that the flat end surface 248 may also have any other cross-sectional shape based on the structural profile of the threads.

The stepped end and thus the abrupt termination provides an effective seal against water flowing inside the hose 202. Water flowing inside hose 202 may flow radially along the threads and may also tend to flow further beyond the threads. However, due to the flat end surface 248 and abrupt termination of the threads, proper sealing of the hose 202 is ensured and no water leaks there from.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the disclosure and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the disclosure being set forth in the following claims.

Element list

200. Hose connector

202. Flexible pipe

204. Body portion

206. External thread section

207. Screw thread

208. First section

210. Second section

212. A first cylindrical hole

214. A first end portion

216. Second end portion

218. Joint portion

220. First end portion

222. Second end portion

224. Tapered portion

226. First part

228. Second part

230. A second cylindrical hole

232. A first end portion

234. Second end portion

236 mating element/screw element

238. Collar ring

242. Clamping nut

244. First element

246. Second element

248. End surface

218' engagement portion

224' tapered portion

226' first part

228' second part

236' mating element/screw element

248' surface

Length of L1 first part

Length of L2 second part

L3 total length

F1 Flow direction of water

D1 First outer diameter

D2 First inner diameter

D3 Diameter of the second part

D4 The inner diameter of the second cylindrical hole

D5 Inner diameter of hose

D6 Outermost diameter of spiral element

D7 Outer diameter of hose

Claims

1. A hose connector (200) for a hose (202), comprising:

a body portion (204) defining an externally threaded section (206);

-an engagement portion (218) defined with the body portion (204), wherein the engagement portion (218) is adapted to allow the hose (202) to be pushed up;

one or more mating elements (236) defined on at least a portion of the engagement portion (218), wherein the one or more mating elements (236) are adapted to allow engagement of the hose (202) with the hose connector (200);

the engagement portion (218) comprises at least a first component (226) and a second component (228), wherein the first component (226) is defined around an end (222) of the engagement portion (218) opposite the body portion (204) and comprises the one or more mating elements (236) in the form of a spiral element (236) extending at least partially across the first component (226),

and wherein a surface of the second part (228) of the engagement portion (218) does not present any mating element and has an outer diameter at least equal to an outermost diameter (D6) of the helical element (236);

the method is characterized in that:

the extension of the spiral element (236) on the first part (226) is stopped abruptly, such that the spiral element (236) defines a stepped end with a flat end surface towards the second part (228).

2. The hose connector (200) of claim 1, wherein a total length (L3) of the first and second members (226, 228) defines the complete engagement portion (218).

3. The hose connector (200) of claim 1, wherein the engagement portion (218) has an inner diameter (D4) that is about the inner diameter of the hose to be pushed up.

4. A hose connector (200) according to claim 3, wherein the inner diameter (D4) of the engagement portion (218) is about 8.5mm.

5. The hose connector (200) of claim 1, wherein the externally threaded section (206) allows for a threaded connection of the hose connector (200) with a clamping nut (242).